Prospective Undergraduate Students
What is Biochemistry?
Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of the living world. Biochemists study organisms at the molecular level in order to understand how they carry out life processes. In laboratory experiments, biochemists separate substances isolated from living cells, determine their chemical structures and properties. and then these substances are put back together under controlled conditions to find out how they interact.
Blaine Wagner
I have a love of agriculture, science, and solving problems. I quickly learned that as a biochemist, I could be part of the group of scientists who discover ways to use less plastic, increase use of renewable agricultural products, and better feed the world in a changing environment. My time in the lab has helped me develop strong critical thinking skills and has taught me how to think like a scientist. This experience has helped encourage me to pursue a career doing research in industry.
Shelby Slinger
Joining a research lab and the Biochemistry Club helped me feel like I belonged here at Purdue. The people I worked with in my lab truly felt like family, and I have greatly benefited from all the training and advice they gave me. The guidance of my research mentor has played an integral role in guiding me to ask the right questions in research and encouraging me to challenge myself academically to prepare for graduate school. My experiences at Purdue have inspired me to share science with more people. I want to continue communicating science with the public in a way that's comprehensible to everyone. Science is important for fixing real-world problems, and I enjoy making a difference in others’ lives. Shelby's story
Bryn Yoder
Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to help people. For a while, I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but I’ve found I can have a massive impact on humanity and society through research. I feel grateful that I can participate in that. My research advisor at Purdue, Dr. Hana Hall, treats her undergrads with the same level of freedom as a graduate student. Bryn's story
Blaine Wagner
I have a love of agriculture, science, and solving problems. I quickly learned that as a biochemist, I could be part of the group of scientists who discover ways to use less plastic, increase use of renewable agricultural products, and better feed the world in a changing environment. My time in the lab has helped me develop strong critical thinking skills and has taught me how to think like a scientist. This experience has helped encourage me to pursue a career doing research in industry.
Shelby Slinger
Joining a research lab and the Biochemistry Club helped me feel like I belonged here at Purdue. The people I worked with in my lab truly felt like family, and I have greatly benefited from all the training and advice they gave me. The guidance of my research mentor has played an integral role in guiding me to ask the right questions in research and encouraging me to challenge myself academically to prepare for graduate school. My experiences at Purdue have inspired me to share science with more people. I want to continue communicating science with the public in a way that's comprehensible to everyone. Science is important for fixing real-world problems, and I enjoy making a difference in others’ lives. Shelby's story
Bryn Yoder
Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to help people. For a while, I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but I’ve found I can have a massive impact on humanity and society through research. I feel grateful that I can participate in that. My research advisor at Purdue, Dr. Hana Hall, treats her undergrads with the same level of freedom as a graduate student. Bryn's storyLEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
TAKE NEXT GIANT LEAP
Explore the Possibilities in Biochemistry
Why is Biochemistry in the College of Ag?
Explores the basic molecular processes underpinning all life. Consequently, a degree in biochemistry prepares you to contribute to a variety of disciplines including medicine (human or animal), pharmacy, agriculture, and all other life-science fields. In Land Grant Universities like Purdue, Wisconsin, University of Missouri, etc., biochemistry is usually found in the College of Agriculture for historical reasons: the field of biochemistry grew out of research on agricultural problems, and since Land Grant Universities were the institutions with agriculture, departments of biochemistry were situated in those colleges.
Opportunities
The Biochemistry Department awards scholarships annually to continuing undergraduate students in the department from several scholarship funds. Additionally, our students qualify for various scholarships at the College and University levels. Over 40% of our students are currently receiving scholarships from the College.
A degree in biochemistry provides an excellent foundation for professional success in a wide variety of disciplines. Many of our graduates go on to obtain professional degrees from medical schools or veterinary schools, which highly value the molecular expertise provided by biochemistry coursework. Other graduates pursue further degrees such as a Masters or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) to be competitive for specialized careers in industry or to teach and/or do research in an academic setting such as a university. Another popular option for our graduates is to immediately accept a job in the industry.
The Purdue Biochemistry Club meets every two weeks to explore various aspects of the field through visiting speakers from a variety of backgrounds. Past speakers have included Purdue professors, graduate students, doctors, biochemists who work in industry, and many others!
Find science program opportunities available for undergraduate research experiences.
Learn more
UNDERGRADUATES IN THE NEWS
Mary Konstantin gets misty-eyed in the middle of a lab, beakers bubbling away in the background,...
Nathan Tuchscherer, a rising senior in the College of Agriculture’s biochemistry department...
At home, Madelyn Pierce is surrounded by houseplants. At work, she was surrounded by corn and...
If you’re on Purdue’s campus in the summer, you may notice a group of students...
Contact Us
Department of Biochemistry
Purdue University
175 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2063
765-494-1612
Fax: 765-494-7897
biochem-boilers@purdue.edu